Friday, December 27, 2019

Returning to the Fair with Knott’s Bear-y Tales and Triotech’s Nol Van Genuchten

We’re using the same venue, we’re using the same ride system, but we’re re-configuring the ride system to give us a better journey through that space, and to better be able to tell the story that is Knott’s Bear-y tales. Yes, it will be a media-based attraction and yes, we’ll still have screens in there, but we’ll be re-configuring the riide system and the position of the screens to give us a more immersive experience, to create more space, to have better theming and a better overall environment.

Read the rest at Coaster101

Thursday, December 19, 2019

All aboard the 2020 Hype Train for Knott's Bear-y Tales

The big reason that you don't see more revivals at theme parks is that parks - unlike film studios - are not constantly rotating in new productions. Popular, successful rides stick around for generations. It's the less successful attractions that get yanked in favor of new rides or shows. And who wants to bring them back?

Well, sometimes parks make mistakes. And other times, rides that fall out of fashion find new life when nostalgia brings them back into favor. Many Disney fans long for the return of Horizons. Universal fans pine for Jaws. And Knott's Berry Farm fans wish they could go back and get another ride on Knott's Bear-y Tales.

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ThemeParkInsider

Cedar Fair Appoints Daniel J. Hanrahan Board Chairman

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and immersive entertainment, announced today it has appointed Dan Hanrahan as its independent board chairman, effective January 1, 2020. Mr. Hanrahan has served on Cedar Fair’s Board of Directors since June 2012, most recently as chair of the Compensation Committee.

Matthew A. Ouimet, executive chairman, and Debra Smithart-Oglesby, lead independent director, will serve in those roles through the end of 2019 and will continue to serve as directors under Mr. Hanrahan’s leadership.

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SeekingAlpha

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Knott's, take notes - This is how you announce a celebration!

Off Topic: The Imagineering Story (Final Thoughts)

Well that was a mess...

I don't know what I was expecting. Of course a documentary produced by Iger - one that was so honest and critical on previous administrations - would paint himself as Disney's savior. It's a shame that all the failures of the current administration are completely ignored and much of their mediocrity is glamorized (Shanghai Disneyland anyone?). Most of Imagineering's actual technological and creative achievements are glossed over in favor of pushing Iger's agenda revolving around brand integration in what seems like a desperate justification of bad decision making by management (one of which belittles any kind of genuine concerns fans have by painting it as nothing more than whining and overreaction). It really does just become an advertisement fluff piece that abandons the narrative that Iweks was crafting in earlier episodes.

If you really feel like watching this, you can stop after the first couple of episodes.